Any other non-smokers to e-cig users?

[Koshiba]

I realize this probably isn't typical or common and some will probably not agree with it much since so many people try to get off nicotine period. I've never been a fan of smoking, tried it a few times, grew up around smokers, dated smokers but it just never caught on to me. I originally did all my research and interest in e-cigs for an ex-BF of mine who smoked cigarettes wayyyyy too much! I bought him his kit, juices and anything else he needed. That was a couple of years ago (Found most of my information thanks to this wonderful community!)

Fast forward to earlier this year I was going through some stressful things and my roommate at the time was a smoker so I smoked to deal with some of the stress. I noticed that it DID take the "edge" off of my stress/anxiety issues which was really helpful since I was currently not able to take my proper medication for it. (I have bipolar/manic-depression/ADHD/Anxiety issues.) Still not a big fan of the cigs.. then my new BF said he had an ecig that he was going to start using at home since we moved back in with his mother so no smoking in the house. I previously noticed the benefits of nicotine with my issues and decided to do some research on the subject, nicotine itself actually has shown use in cases like schizophrenia and ADD.

So, I picked up the habit of smoking e-cigs myself, despite having no prior addiction to smoking. I also have a bit of an oral fixation as I've always been a nail biter my whole life. The ecigs help me with getting work done, take the edge off any anxiety I have and helps me bite my nails less. I recently went a bit without any nicotine since having the habit of smoking e-cigs for a few months and didn't seem to have any major cravings or withdrawal issues..

Well, that's my story so I thought I'd share. I was just wondering if anyone else has willingly picked up the habit of nicotine use through e-cigs?

 

[Dying2Live]

I was actually thinking about this today and was about to post this question! I myself have been on analogs for years and switched to e cigs for health benefits, I wonder if there really is THAT many people who just decide to pick up e cigs without a former Nic habbit. and that's the beauty of e cigs, Nicotine is proven to not be much more harmful to the human body than caffeine, so randomly picking up the habit of smoking e cigs, is pretty damn similar to simply picking up the habit of drinking a few cups of coffee a day.

 

[Huffelpuff]

If it helps you - it's good. If we stood the side effects or potential issues with nicotine against pharmaceutical drugs for anxiety or other problems it would probably be the safest one there.

(I'm not a Doctor, I just play one on the ECF

 

[nster]

I got banned from ECF chat for the reason that I stated I wanted to go from non-smoker to e-cig smoker (though I'm looking into 0 mg for now) because I was called a troll a bajillion times and got banned

People here will not be friendly to people who are not quitting cigarettes. It is sad really. I tell everyone on the forum I'm quitting tobacco-free hookah (which I do smoke occasionally, ie: once every 45 days), but in reality I'm just finding a way to de-stress and not start smoking (analogs or ) like I've always felt pressured to do. I do this so that I don't have to deal with the name-calling and drama while still getting the benefits of the forum (ie: people answer your question instead of telling me to off)

I do have Anxiety and Depression issues, but hopefully I don't have to resort to nicotine. I will do my best to stay nicotine-free, but I'm definitively not going to medication again (ya don't feel anything emotionally)

 

[barbee865]

Picking up a cigarette is in my top 5 worst decisions EVER. (along with a crazy redhead named christin) So i am gonna beg you to not tempt the devil.

If you must, try 0mg so you get the oral fixation and vape til the sun comes up if ya want.

 

[Koshiba]

Well, I'm on plenty of other far more dangerous pharmaceutical drugs so nicotine itself really isn't that bad for what it does. I've had no negative side effects from it or even any kind of addiction symptoms. I realize there are some people that wouldn't really understand the possible benefits of something like that but I like the analogy of caffeine from the first reply. Lol. I don't want to go 0mg of nicotine as that defeats my main purpose of using nicotine which is to take the "edge" off of some of my other issues.

 

[mlinky]

You are not a non-smoker who decided to take up vaping. You were smoking, just not often. That said, plenty of smokers are self-medicating.

 

[vapidkitty]

Hi Guys, please understand that some of the defensiveness is because the argument that e-cigs will 'lure' non-smokers into nicotine addiction is one of the bigguns that the prohibitioners use against the devices. Many of us literally see these devices as something that may have saved our lives, so something that appears to give credence to that prohibition argument is going to be threatening to many in the community. (and you can make what you will of the belief of some that there are prohibition 'plants' in the community).

I know, understand and even agree to a point with what you are saying about nicotine itself - I'm on my own little pharmacy of medications for epilepsy whose sole purpose is to basically slow my brain functioning ('cause that's how seizures are stopped). But there's also other nicotine delivery methods that will work if someone really wants to go down that path - they've been shown clinically to work. The same delivery methods (patches, gum, inhalers etc) have been clinically shown to have a very poor rate of quit success for smokers.

So guys I'm sorry and sincerely hope in time it's different, but while personally I'd never be hostile to you I do understand where others are coming from. Maybe you could join in the efforts to fight prohibition. It's the only way there'll ever be freedom for all.

 

[vapidkitty]

I'll keep this post separate.... +1 to Mlinky - doesn't matter how few you smoke... if you turn to cigs in times of stress and fear doing so again, you're a smoker. Just not that often.

 

[Zhukaya]

I wish PVs were around when I started smoking, because I totally believe I would have used liquid nicotine in stead of cigarettes. Any parent should thank any PV user for teaching non smokers about PVs instead of letting them smoke analog cigarettes. Nicotine has benefits that you can enjoy without the need to inhale smoke. After 30 years of smoking cigarettes, I can now choose when I want to use nicotine and I simply enjoy 0 mg nic the rest of the time. What I can't undo is the years of damage from analogs. The only reason why anyone wouldn't want to teach non-smokers to use PVs is if they worked for cigarette companies and wanted people to also become damaged by tar and carbon monoxide.

Oh, and you're only a smoker when you smoke. I am a non smoker and I'm very proud that still have a full pack of 20 cigarettes in my freezer that I plan to never open. All you nay sayers can say what you want, but there isn't one of you who truly know me. I'm done with analogs and will preach about the benefits of PVs to anyone who will listen.

 

[Huffelpuff]

Let's keep in mind - cigarettes are LEGAL. Any numskull (like most of us have done) can go to the store and get a government sanctioned addiction going. Why should anyone who is an adult be chastized when they can go buy a pack of cigarettes if they choose to.

Like any other drug, nicotine DOES have positive benefits. For most, the addictive properties outweigh the benefit but I think people can seriously underestimate it's positive effects on depression and ADD among other ailments.

Nicotine use is demonized due to it's association with cigarettes but cigarettes are legal. Does this make sense at all? If an adult chooses to smoke, drink or eat McDonalds - it's their choice and their consequences.

 

[Nicko]

A few months ago someone posted about "starting" without being a smoker first. Most of the replies were "no way".

I basically said, "try it if you want to", and gave my reasons. This was not well received by some members of this forum.

 

[jibblet]

I think the OP pointed out a very interesting experience, going without nicotine after a few months of vaping and experienced no withdrawal symptoms!

To me this sounds like another good reason why Nicotine is not as bad as it's reputation suggests. Perhaps the most addictive substances are those only found in analogs, the ones that also cause most withdrawal symptoms.

Comparing "pure" nicotine addiction with caffeine addiction is not far off IMO. We need more people coming on here and explaining how they use Nicotine for health benefits and challenge the medical proffesion/governments to prove that it does more harm than good.

 

[Crazy1Bob]

Do what works for you! If the E Cig works and youre not using analogs, I say go for it. Its a whole lot safer than the real thing. And if its helping with your other issues and you dont have to take the meds you dont like to take, Even Better.

I also agree that you technically were a smoker, just not often and only recently. My GF is the same way, she can smoke for a few weeks, and quit at the drop of a hat with no problems at all.

 

[sammy43]

I quit smoking analogs almost 12 years ago. I started puffing on e-cigs about a month ago.

Why? Well my wife has been trying to quit analogs and bought an e-cig. I was curious and tried it. I liked it. I also like bourbon and beer and coffee.

The nicotine is a simple pleasure for me. Relaxing even. I enjoy puffing on it but have only been vaping in the evenings. RY-4 goes great with Makers Mark!

Since I started I have actually gone a day or so periodically where I have not even picked the PV up. Just get too busy sometimes. I also do not use it while I am working. The nic levels I have been using started at 18mg (too peppery), 12mg (better) and 6mg (just right for me).

I think my wife also likes the fact that I don't mind spending some money on extra PV equipment. We share our stuff.

 

[Southernbelle]

While I understand not thinking it's a great idea for someone who's never smoked to take up vaping, it's wrong to rudely shut them out, or ban them. I don't like the idea of vaping, or this forum being an exclusive club where only former smokers are welcome. If vaping is keeping you away from trying cigarettes, or providing the nicotene you think is helping you for whatever reason, then so be it. Some folks can't do the patch without getting red and swollen. And let's face it - the gum is downright nasty.
People who are into the prohibition thing aren't worried about adults who've never smoked being attracted to vaping. They are all about the kids. What does it matter if an adult chooses nictotene via vaping to ease anxiety? And even then, I'd rather see my 16 year old start vaping rather than analogs if they are determined to cave in to cigarettes.
I started out at 12 mg and have weaned myself down to 6 and for night time, 0 nic. I never would have thought that possible. But, quite simply, the nicotene in vaping is much easier (for me anyway) to get away from than the nicotene in cigarettes. I'm sitting here right now with all my batteries discharged, and I'm in no way interested in grabbing an analog. And yes, I have a month old pack I could dive into.
Sorry if this makes some angry, but it's how I feel.

 

[Michael Curry]

Fast forward to earlier this year I was going through some stressful things and my roommate at the time was a smoker so I smoked to deal with some of the stress.

So you were a smoker at that time. Then you quit. Then, instead of backsliding, you went to a PV - not back to analogs.

Probably every one of us here who was a smoker, had quit on one or more occasions. Usually, we ended up going back to it.

If anyone has an issue with what you have done, maybe they should tell you how long you have to go back to the analogs for before you qualify for using a PV. (sarcasm far from accidental)

For most of us, vaping got us off analogs. For you, it kept you from going back to them. No difference, really. Vape on.

 

[J Beard]

Back in the 70's my brother in law was on ritalin, parents could not afford the meds so mom gave him a cup of coffee every morning before school, she was making it anyway.
Had the same effect.
Goodbye meds. Hello joe!
Sounds about the same to me.

 

[GIMike]

I'll have to agree with everybody else. There are worse things you can do. I think I'll agree also that it's probably not the best choices when it comes to us trying to keep it legal. You don't see non-smokers going out and buying up the patch or gum or anything else. And that's what the antz will use against us But for me personally, I understand how nicotine can help you calm down, and I think there's nothing wrong with trying to help that

 

[AngelsRUs]

Nicotine has many benefits, it is not ALL bad. Like any substance, herb, mineral, nutrient....there are pros and cons. Period.

Arsenic is poison and can kill you; however, there is arsenic in apples...of course it wouldn't be humanely possible to eat enough of them to get enough arsenic to do you in either. I am also pretty sure that too many apples in your diet has it's own health issues. Water is good for you; yet, you can overdose on it as well. There is a toxicity level for everything. Moderation is key with anything under the sun IMHO. Also, being responsible and knowing what your personal limits are. A certain amount of nicotine can be beneficial-(it's even found in veggies in trace amounts)-however too much can make you sick to your stomach, ill or you could OD...surprise it has a toxicity level as well.

I believe people should be informed and make informed decisions, but it is their decision plan and simple. No matter what it is, it's called freedom. Of course, I believe that God made this world for us and the things in it for us to use and enjoy, to discover, to be creative, to live, to love....not to spend our lives worrying about every little thing that might kill us--believe it or not we all suffer from the same incurable disease...it's called life. Our bodies slowly start on the road to death from the time we are born.

I think it is great to be informed and make informed choices. I think it is great to want to be healthy. However, I refuse to spend my life obsessing about everything that effects my health either as there is no way for me to prevent death. I can do my best to live a fairly healthy lifestyle and live my life according to my beliefs to the best of my ability, and enjoy that which God has graciously given me. I will not piddle it away by obsessing about each and every thing...there is enough stress in life as it is. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own.

It's all about balance in everything. Welcome to the world of vaping, I am glad you have found something that helps you function normally.